Healthcare Policy for the Social Good

Course Director: Patrick Agte

This course introduces B.Sc. students to how economic analysis can be applied to understand and improve healthcare markets. The course will cover the core concepts of health economics and then explore how these approaches can be used to analyze key policies.

The core concepts include (i) demand for health and healthcare, (ii) the supply of healthcare, (iii) moral hazard and adverse selection in insurance markets, (iv) the economics of health innovation, and (v) health externalities.

Students will study both the underlying economic theory and its empirical applications, including cost-effectiveness analysis. We will then apply these concepts to current policy debates, such as digital health and the role of artificial intelligence, pandemic preparedness and lessons from COVID-19, and patient choice reforms.

Throughout the course, examples will be drawn from both the Swedish and global healthcare systems.

Course Structure

The course begins with the classic concepts of health economics, following Bhattacharya et al. (2013) as the core textbook. Students are expected to read the assigned chapters before class, allowing lectures to focus on applying these concepts to the analysis of empirical research.

In addition to lectures, the course will feature guest speakers from both the public and private sectors, who will demonstrate how the tools of health economics are used in real-world policy and practice.

As part of the course, students will work in groups to analyze a current healthcare policy issue of their choice. The project will culminate in a written report and a group presentation at the end of the course. This exercise is designed to help students apply the economic concepts learned in class to real-world problems, while also developing the ability to communicate their findings effectively to a broader, non-technical audience. 

Course administrator: Kathrine.Abelson@hhs.se

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand and apply core economic concepts to the analysis of healthcare markets,
• critically evaluate empirical research in health economics,
• use economic reasoning to analyze health policies and reforms,
• translate economic concepts and evidence into a policy report aimed at a broader, non-technical audience.

General entry requirements.

The main textbook will be: Bhattacharya, J., Hyde, T., & Tu, P. (2013). Health economics. Bloomsbury Publishing.

ISBN 9781137029966

The textbook will be supplemented with survey papers and reports to cover current policy topics.

The final class grade will consist of three activities: class participation (10%), a group policy report (20%), and a final written exam (70%). The group policy report will include both a written report and a class presentation.

Find the course schedule in TimeEdit

Have you been granted educational support because of a documented disability? If so, please contact the course director as soon as possible so that adequate accommodations can be made.

Contact specialneeds@hhs.se if you have questions about being granted educational support or need a copy of your educational support certificate.

For more information, visit the Specific Educational Needs page on the Student Hub (login required).